Southbridge 18-year-old gets probation for assault on girl, 15

DUDLEY — An 18-year-old Southbridge man accused of tying a girl's hands to his bed and raping her was found guilty of assault and battery and sentenced to 3 years on probation.

Johnathan Rossi of 31 Oliver St., Southbridge, was 17 when he was arraigned Jan. 28, 2013, in Dudley District Court on a charge of rape of a child with use of force, records show.

Mr. Rossi posted $500 bail set by Judge Timothy M. Bibaud, who ordered him not to contact the victim.

According to court records, the charge was later amended to assault and battery on a person 14 or older, at the request of the prosecution after consultation with the victim, her mother and grandmother.

According to a Southbridge police report, Sgt. Michael Sullivan said a 15-year-old girl and her father went to the police department on Jan. 22, 2013, and reported that she had been raped in July 2012. They said the attack happened at Mr. Rossi's home inside his bedroom.

According to police, the girl said she awoke from a nap to find that Mr. Rossi had tied her hands to his bed and removed her pants and underwear. She told police he raped her, then untied her and got dressed. Later, he walked her home and apologized, the report said.

Mr. Rossi was arrested a few days later without incident.

Mr. Rossi pleaded guilty to the assault and battery charge and was found guilty by Judge Bibaud.

In addition to 3 years' probation, the judge ordered no contact with victim, a mental health evaluation with treatment, if necessary, and a $2,340 probation fee.